Walking Through the Ruins: A Tour of Turkey’s Ancient Cities

Upon arrival in Istanbul, our team will welcome you at the airport with a personalized name sign and transfer you to your boutique hotel located in the historic Sultanahmet district. Conveniently situated within walking distance of Istanbul’s major landmarks, your hotel offers the perfect base for exploration. You will have free time to relax or begin discovering the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

At 9:00 a.m., your guide will pick you up from your hotel for a full-day "Best of Istanbul" walking tour. You will visit iconic sites including the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Museum, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. After an enriching day of exploration, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. You’ll have free time in the evening to relax or explore further. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

At 6:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul and begin the scenic drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Relax on the bus as you enjoy views of the Sea of Marmara. Around noon, you will arrive in the charming seaside town of Eceabat for lunch. Your guide will then lead you along the hauntingly beautiful Gallipoli coast, where you will walk the historic battlefields and trenches, paying respects at numerous memorials dedicated to the fallen soldiers. Learn about the strategies and stories of the ANZAC and Ottoman forces, including those of the young Ottoman Colonel Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Çanakkale, where you’ll have the evening free to explore and shop.

You will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 AM to begin your day exploring the ancient city of Troy. Discover the layers of history from Troy I through Troy IX, including highlights such as The Odeon, The Bouleuterion, the houses of Troy I, the 3,700-year-old city walls, and Sacrificial Altars. Don’t miss the life-size replica of the Trojan Horse, which you can enter for photos. By 10:30 AM, you will conclude your Troy tour and travel onward to Pergamon. After a lunch break at 1:30 PM, explore the remarkable ruins of Pergamon, including The Acropolis, The Library, The Temple of Athena, The Temple of Trajan, The Altar of Zeus, The Gymnasium, The Lower Agora, The Hellenistic Theater, and The Temple of Dionysus. Your tour will end around 5:30 PM, followed by a transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up at 9:00 AM to begin your guided tour of Ephesus. Explore the ancient ruins, including the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the impressive Amphitheater, and the famous Celsius Library. You will also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her final resting place. Discover well-preserved ruins that tell the story of this once-thriving city. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and be picked up at 8:30 AM to begin the approximately 3-hour drive to Pamukkale. Around noon, arrive in the charming town of Pamukkale and stop for lunch. Then, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where your guide will introduce you to the life of its past citizens. Key highlights include the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Theater, and the Martyrion of St. Philip. Next, you will explore the stunning white travertine terraces—known as the travertines—and enjoy a refreshing swim in the famous Cleopatra’s Pool. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your one-hour flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your international flight. If your flight is scheduled for the late afternoon or evening, you have the option to book a half-day tour before your transfer.